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Just Starting Out?…
by Tony Veltri |
Bouldering is not easy, it is not supposed to be. Like
golf, bouldering requires a certain level of proficiency to be enjoyable.
My first time out on the links, I listened to all the advice my instructors
had imparted to me. Even though I kept my head down and heels planted, I
still could not manage to hit the ball farther than the clump of dirt that
followed it. That first time out was miserable, in fact, so were the second,
third and fourth. Once I finally hit that ball straight, the feeling of
accomplishment that overcame me was phenomenal and I knew that my days of
suffering had paid off.
In quite the same way, many a climber who has wired all
the 5.10's in the local gym take to the boulders, only to find that problems
with a very modest grade quickly deposit them on the ground. It takes
perseverance to overcome the initial difficulties encountered when first
starting to boulder. Once these barriers are broken, the reward is an unfettered
freedom of movement not often experienced when climbing roped.
Bouldering is about the individual; it does not matter
how hard you can climb, so long as you are pushing your own limits. If the
desire is there, actions will surely follow. Don't be put off by bouldering
today, just because it seems too difficult to be fun. The greatest limitations
to physical movement on rock are those that exist in our minds. |
That said, there are a few things that will help to improve
your un-roped forays on the boulders. The single largest deterrent to novice
boulderer is knowing that if you fall, you will hit the ground. Get a crashpad.
Period. Crashpads serve to soften your impact and really do provide good
cushioning where there would otherwise be none. The presence of a GOOD spotter
can help to prevent injury as well as provide encouragement. Spotting is
not a spectator sport, if you don't know how to spot effectively, ASK. A
bad spot can be worse than no spot at all. As in golf, even if you can barely
hit the ball, you will likely have a better time of it if you are playing
with a set of Big Berthas rather than your uncle's hand-me-down Chi Chi
Rodrigueses's. Shoes can make a big difference in bouldering. A pair of
slip-lasted, sensitive shoes, be they lace-up, velcro, or slip on will almost
always outperform those board-lasted clunkers that are as comfy as bedroom
slippers. A standard climbing chalk bag, or a special bouldering chalk bag,
is useful especially during the dog days of summer. A toothbrush can also
come in handy for cleaning chalk and debris off greasy holds. |
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For more
information:
John Sherman wrote this book for the both the beginning and the experienced
boulderer. Chock full of tips and pointers, this book will answer all your
questions about bouldering. Sherman has an excellent writing style which
instructs and amuses at the same time. The photos in this book are informative
and impressive.
Click here to buy this book! |
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